Selectable single dose auto-injector and methods of making and using same

ABSTRACT

An auto-injector device for administering a liquid pharmaceutical composition, in which an end-user can select between doses that the device is capable of delivering. The end-user choices that translate into the selected doses can be based on end-user perceived severity of symptoms, end-user weight and other such factors. In some embodiments the auto-injector is configured to administer the one chosen dose only. In other embodiments, the auto-injector can deliver second and subsequent doses up to full dose of the pharmaceutical composition disposed in the injector. The auto-injector can provide visual, audio, and tactile feedback, alone or in combination, to the user to indicate the dose selected, instructions for use, and when the dose has been administered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/462,116,filed Aug. 18, 2014 claiming priority to provisional U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/867,349, filed Aug. 19, 2013, and provisional U.S.Patent Application No. 61/901,721, filed Nov. 8, 2013, which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Auto-injectors have become very popular and have experienced widespreaduse due to a variety of advantages that they have over typical manualsyringe injectors. Essentially, an auto-injector is an automaticinjection system which is designed to subcutaneously deliver a specificdosage of a liquid medicament into an individual.

Disposable auto-injectors are typically single-dose delivery devicesused for the periodic injection of a drug. Certainepinephrine-containing auto-injectors are a good example of these typesof disposable single dose auto-injectors. One removes the cap, removes asafety, and then rapidly presses one end against their thigh. A needleis either exposed or is advanced by the device into the patient and theinjection epinephrine automatically begins. The patient will hold thedevice in place of a prescribed count and then remove and dispose of thedevice.

Alternatively, an auto-injector can require the user to remove the cap,press the device against the skin, and press a button for the injectionto occur. In both types of auto-injector the device automaticallyshields the needle before and after injection.

IMITREX®, brand sumatriptan, is sold as an injectable in a normal vialin which a syringe needle is inserted through a septum into the vial anda dose is drawn in through the needle (IMITREX Injection single-dosevial (6 mg/0.5 mL) (NDC 01730449-02)). However, it is also available ina second distinct type of auto-injector. It is sold as part of either anIMITREX STATdose System®, 4 mg kit, (containing 1 IMITREX STATdose Pen,2 prefilled single-dose syringe cartridges, and 1 carrying case (NDC0173-0739-00)) or an IMITREX STATdose System®, 6 mg kit, containing 1IMITREX STATdose Pen, 2 prefilled single-dose syringe cartridges, and 1carrying case (NDC 0173-0479-00)).

In both of these injector systems, a single dose, pre-measuredcartridge, including a needle is loaded into the injector before use andthe cartridge is disposed of after use. The injector is reusable. Thereis no way to select a dose—one either has the 4 mg kit or the 6 mg kit.If some other dose is desired, a traditional syringe and vial must beused.

Existing sumatriptan injection devices deliver, without any ability tochange the dose, a single dose of a clear, colorless to pale yellow,sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for subcutaneous injection. Each 0.5 mLof commercial sumatriptan injection solution (4 mg) has a concentrationof 8 mg/mL of sumatriptan and thus contains 4 mg of sumatriptan (base)as the succinate salt. Commercial formulations also include 3.8 mg ofsodium chloride, USP in water for injection, USP. A higher dose is alsoavailable wherein each 0.5 mL of sumatriptan injection solution (6 mg)has a concentration of 12 mg/mL and thus contains 6 mg of sumatriptan(base) as the succinate salt. It also contains 3.5 mg of sodiumchloride, USP in water for injection, USP. The pH range of bothsolutions is approximately 4.2 to 5.3. The osmolality of both injectionsis 291 mOsmol.

The pen-styled design of a syringe is used to deliver multiple doses ofa medicament. These devices require the user to set the amount to bedelivered, either once or each time they intend to inject themselves.The device may come with a removable and replaceable needle. The usertypically “sticks” themselves like they would with any syringe, and thendepress the plunger to actuate deliver of the dose. Each dose can be thesame, and can be based on such factors as body mass index, or the dosecan be variable and based on, for example, a particular blood sugarlevel. In either event, the pen injector can repeatedly dispense a fulldose each time it is used and it is filled such that it can deliver aplurality of doses.

Patent application EP 0713403A1 describes a syringe for administering afixed volume of liquid pharmaceutical mixtures and generally also otherliquids. The syringe is capable of delivering a single dosed in a selectrange of medicament dosages by first selecting the desired amount ofdrug to be administered. To avoid the risk of over-dosing orunder-dosing, the dose administered by the syringe is pre-set by aphysician, medical practitioner, or patient. After the dose amount isselected the syringe must be inserted into a liquid medicament and thedesired amount is drawn into the syringe. At this point the deviceeffectively has a fixed volume that can only be used to administer thepre-set dose of the syringe contents to the patient. The structure ofthe device makes it difficult for a patient to adjust the syringe doseafter it has been set even when the syringe is empty. Once themedicament is in the syringe, it is impossible to change from a higherdose to a lower dose without discharging any medicament.

International Application WO2011/111006 describes an auto-injector thatallows the end-user to self-administer first and second doses of amedicament. However, the volume of both the first and the second dosesare fixed to a pre-set amount of medicament. The end-user cannot chooseor adjust the first dose to be administered by the auto-injector. Theuser cannot take the entire volume of medicament contained in theinjector at one time. Instead, a user must take a first dose, remove theinjector from the injection site, rotate a knob to re-arm the device,and then reposition the injector at an injection site to receive asecond injection.

Application WO2011/045554 describes an auto-injector for use with aplurality of syringes. Each syringe contains a different dose of fluidto be administered. The auto-injector device is a two part housingadapted to receive one of a plurality of syringes. The housing has aspacer that allows the housing to receive syringes containing differentdoses and administer those doses. While this auto-injector providescertain flexibility in the volume of doses administered in terms ofreceiving a range of syringe sizes capable delivering a commensuraterange of doses, those doses are fixed in the syringe received by thehousing.

Another popular type of injection device is a pen-style device. Suchpen-type injection devices may contain a dose metering mechanism thatadministers a dose based on end-user selection. These devices areportable and may be re-useable or disposable.

Such injection devices that allow the end-user to select theadministered dose are described, for example and without limitation, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,938,642 ('642 patent). The '642 patent describes aninjection pen device with a dose setting mechanism within the housingthat incorporates a dial assembly. The end-user can select a dose byrotating the dial. The device is designed to administer multiple dosesof a medicament over an extended period of time. The dose of themedicament to be delivered is not pre-set and can be varied over a widerange of doses. The dose selected by the end-user is based on thetitration of a known indicator, such as glucose levels in the blood ofthe end-user when administering insulin. Based on this information, theend-user dials in the requisite dosage.

Although auto injectors that deliver pre-set or variable doses have beenused, there is a need for a single-use, disposable device that providesflexibility in the dose delivered, is user friendly in terms of doseselection, yet more reliable in terms of preventing the administrationof incorrect doses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a selectable single dose auto-injector and methodsof making and using the same to administer a pharmaceutical compositionsubcutaneously and wherein the dose is selected by the end-user based onan end-user's perception of symptom severity. For example, an injectiondevice has a dosage indicator and a selection mechanism that permits theuser to select a dose from among those the injection device isconfigured to deliver. If the end-user selects the setting for “lesssevere” pain or other symptom, the selection will translate to theinjection device delivering the lower dose of the pharmaceuticalcomposition. If the end-user selects the setting for “more severe” painor other symptom, the selection will translate to the injection devicedelivering the higher dose of the pharmaceutical composition.

One aspect of the disclosure describes a method of treating a headache,cluster headache, or migraine. The method includes choosing a doseamount; actuating a single selectable dose, self-contained,auto-injector; and delivering the selected dose into a patient. The dosecan be selected from among a higher dose and a lower dose of an activeagent useful for treating a headache, cluster headache, or migraine.

In one embodiment, the auto-injector may contain a predetermined volumeof a liquid containing the active agent at a fixed concentration. Theauto-injector can be configured to deliver either a single higher orsingle lower dose, such that it will deliver either substantially theentire volume of liquid containing the active agent to provide thehigher dose of the active agent or a lesser volume thereof sufficient toprovide the lower dose of the active agent.

In another embodiment, the auto-injector may contain at least apredetermined volume of liquid containing the active agent at a fixedconcentration corresponding to a higher dose and deliver only one of asingle higher volume corresponding to the higher dose or a single lowervolume corresponding to the lower dose.

The method can further comprise rendering the auto-injector unable todeliver any remaining volume of the active agent after delivering eitherthe higher or lower dose.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the end user may select one of thedoses based on the perceived severity of symptoms including thepatient's experience with the pathology of the patient's condition andreaction to the full and partial doses.

In at least one embodiment, the active agent is a Non-SteroidalAnti-Inflamatory Drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofenor naproxen, a triptan such as, without limitation, sumatriptan,rizatriptan, frovatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan, and naratriptan, orother drug regularly used for treating pain, headache pain in general,or migraine or cluster headaches specifically, or their symptoms. Theseactive agents can be used in the amounts normally associated with theiruse to treat headaches generally and migraine and cluster headachesspecifically.

In one embodiment, actuating the auto-injector can include actuating theauto-injector by manipulating a dial, slide, thumb wheel, pushbutton, orshaking the injector, or by audio selection.

In another embodiment, there is a signal that indicates which one of thetwo pre-determined doses that the end-user has selected. The signal maybe audible, tactile, visual, or any combinations thereof. In a furtherembodiment, the audible indicator comprises a click, beep, buzzing soundor audible spoken instructions. In a still further embodiment, thetactile indicator comprises a three-dimensional texture on the device.In another embodiment, the visual indicator comprises indicia in theform of color, light, or shape.

The method of treating a pain, migraine, headache, or cluster headaches(or any other condition or affliction mentioned herein) may furtherinclude a lower dose of medicament is about 20%, 25%, 30%, 34%, 40%,50%, 60%, 67%, and 75% of the higher dose. The percent composition ofthe lower dose may be calculated by weight of the active agent or byvolume of the liquid containing the active agent.

Sumatriptan, as used herein, includes all forms of sumatriptan,including free forms, salt forms, etc.

In one embodiment, the active agent is sumatriptan and the higher dosemay provide 6 mg of sumatriptan and the lower dose may provide 3 mg or 4mg of sumatriptan. In one embodiment, the higher dose is 6 mg ofsumatriptan as the succinate salt (sumatriptan succinate hereinafter)and the lower dose may provide 3 mg or 4 mg of sumatriptan succinate. Inanother embodiment, the higher dose may provide 6 mg of sumatriptansuccinate and the lower dose may provide 3 mg of sumatriptan succinate.

An alternate embodiment of a method of treating a headache may comprisechoosing a preset lower dose of an active agent useful for treating aheadache from amongst at least a preset higher and preset lower dosedeliverable from a self-contained, auto-injector containing at leastsufficient volume of a liquid containing the active agent to provide thehigher dose; and auto-injecting the lower dose of the active agent intothe patient. Further, the active agent may be a triptan and the presetlower dose being about 34%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 67% of the higher dose, byweight of the triptan or by volume of the liquid containing the triptan.The triptan can be sumatriptan and the higher dose can be 6 and thelower dose may be 3 or 4 mg of sumatriptan base. In some embodiments,the method comprises no more than two auto-injectors used for a patientin a single 24 hour period.

Still another aspect of the disclosure describes a method of making aself-contained, single selectable dose auto-injector comprisingproviding a single selectable dose injector capable of being actuated todispense, once, one of two predetermined volumes of a liquid containingan active agent useful for treating headaches, the two predeterminedvolumes corresponding to two different doses of the active agent;filling the auto-injector with a sufficient volume of the liquidcontaining the active agent to provide two different doses to produce aself-contained single selectable dose auto-injector; and packaging theself-contained, single selectable dose auto-injector that issubstantially ready for use.

Another aspect of the disclosure describes a single selectable dose,self-contained, auto-injector having a body, a selector, an indicator, amedicament reservoir, a trigger, a needle, and a locking mechanism. Theselector can be used to select one of two preset and pre-determineddoses. The needle can be disposed with the injector body in a firstposition and partially extend outside of the injector body in a secondposition. The needle may be used to inject medicament from the reservoirinto a patient when the needle is in the second position. The needle canbe moved from the first position to the second position when the triggeris pressed against a user's skin. The locking mechanism can permanentlylock the auto-injector after making an injection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the presentinvention and the various advantages thereof can be realized byreference to the following detailed description, in which reference ismade to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a method of using one embodiment of the injectiondevice in accordance with the current invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of using another embodiment of the injectiondevice in accordance with the current invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of using another embodiment of the injectiondevice in accordance with the current invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the injection device in accordancewith the current invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D show several embodiments of the selector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the injection device in accordance withthe current invention.

FIG. 7A-7B shows additional embodiments of the selector of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An automatic injection device (also referred to herein as an“auto-injector”) for administering a liquid pharmaceutical compositionor medicament or drug is described herein. Although some drugs have beenspecifically listed herein, it is to be understood that this list is inno way meant to be exhaustive. Any injectable drugs suitable for use inthe methods and devices described herein are contemplated. Further,drugs identified as their free form include their salt form or otherknown forms. By way of non-limiting example, sumatriptan as used hereinincludes sumatriptan as the succinate salt (i.e., sumatriptansuccinate), etc.

The terms such as ‘about’, ‘up to’, ‘generally’, ‘substantially’ and thelike are to be construed as modifying a term or value such that it isnot an absolute. Such terms will be defined by the circumstances and theterms that they modify as those terms are understood by those of skillin the art. This includes, at very least, the degree of expectedexperimental error, technical error and instrumental error for a givenexperiment, technique or an instrument used to measure a value.

The auto-injector is a self-contained, single use, preset and prefilleddevice configured to present a dosing choice to an end-user and todeliver a dose associated with the choice made by the end-user. As such,the auto-injector is configured to be capable of delivering a singledose chosen from a plurality of different doses of a pharmaceuticalcomposition or medicament. In one aspect the auto-injector is configuredto be capable of delivering a single dose chosen from two differentdoses of a pharmaceutical composition or medicament. In other words, thedevice is capable of delivering different preset doses. The dosingchoice is made by the end-user, who then adjusts or actuates the deviceto deliver the chosen dose, prior to injecting himself/herself with theauto-injector.

The auto-injector is thereby configured to administer to a patient apharmaceutical composition stored in a medicament reservoir disposedwithin it. The medicament reservoir cooperates with the dose selectioncomponent so that only the volume of pharmaceutical composition, at agiven concentration corresponding to the selected dose is administeredto the patient using the device. In one other embodiment the medicamentreservoir is a cartridge incorporated into the auto-injector housing,either permanently or removably.

In some aspects of the invention, the patient's choice (of the higherand lower doses offered by the device to the end-user is selected) isbased on the patient's perceived severity of the patient's symptomsand/or their history and experience with how their body is affected bythe pathology of their condition (at various times and circumstances)balanced against possible side effects.

In one aspect, selection of the dose, either the higher dose or somelower, yet already preset dose, is made by some form of manipulation ofthe injector such as by use of a button, slide, dial, shaking, audibleselection, or other input mechanism on the self-contained, single use,auto-injector. The injection device is calibrated so that only theamount of medicament that corresponds to the end-user dosage selectionis dispensed from the reservoir and administered to the patient. Onetype of dose selector contemplated for use in the injector is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,642, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Other selectorsare also contemplated such as a dial, thumb wheel, slide, switch, etc.In other embodiments, the injector could have a microphone to allow auser to vocally select the desired dose. In still further embodiments,the injector could have an accelerometer to allow a user to change thedosage by shaking, tapping, rotating the injector, etc.

The auto-injector includes an indicator for the user to know which dose,if either, has been selected. Indicia or other ways of indicating eitherthe actual amount selected and/or that the full or a fractional dose isto be given could be included. The embodiments in FIGS. 1-3 include awindow or other display indicating whether one has selected the full orhalf dose (e.g. “Full”, “Half”, “Partial”, “100%”, “50%”, “0.5 mL”,“0.25 mL”, “6 mg”, “3 mg”, “Adult”, “Child”). Additionally, the indiciain the information display could say “safe,” “lock,” or other word toindicate that no dose has been selected. The words or doses could be indifferent colors, the same colors with different colored backgrounds,could be in different type and or different sizes, or any combination.In other embodiments, the injector can have an indicator arrow whichmoves when the selector is manipulated to align the arrow with theselectable dose.

The device could also have an LED or LCD screen, such as those found inso called digital thermometers, that indicates the volume of dose whenone of the two choices is selected based on information placed on asmall chip on the cartridge indicating dose or volume. The device couldalso have this information programmed into it if it is a self-containeddevice as described herein or a cartridge accepting device that can onlyaccept one size cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge could contain abar code, RFID transponder, or other indicator that is read by thedevice and the dose indications are changed automatically.

An audio indicator can also be used. For example, a speaker could beincorporated into the auto-injector to provide audio feedback. Further,the speaker could be attached to an integrated circuit capable ofproviding instructions for using the auto-injector. One integratedcircuit contemplated for use in the auto-injector is disclosed in WIPOPublication No. 2012/164402 the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Audioinstructions can be particularly useful when the person administeringthe dose to the user is not familiar with operation of the device.Indicators can be configured for the sight impaired (tactile or audioindicators). Indicators can be provided in different or universallanguages. An indicator could also provide tactile feedback such asvibration, three dimensional shapes on the injector body, etc.

In a further embodiment of the injection device, the device is capableof offering the end-user a choice between a partial (lower) dose or afull (higher) dose of the pharmaceutical composition. A “full dose” is a“higher dose” defined by a predetermined volume of liquid containing theactive agent at a fixed concentration, corresponding to essentially theentire reservoir volume of the device. As noted above, an end-userexperiencing less severe symptoms, or expecting to be afflicted withless severe symptoms based on how they feel and past experience, mayselect the lower or lesser dose. End-users experiencing, or expecting toexperience, more severe symptoms will select the higher dose. In somedevices in accordance with the invention, this higher dose is a fulldose and represents substantially all of the liquid volume held in theauto-injector. In other instances, the auto-injector may havesubstantially more active agent-containing liquid in its reservoir thanneeded to provide a relatively higher dose—the highest dose that theauto-injector is set to provide. By way of example, and not by way oflimitation, the device is capable of offering the end-user a choice of 6mg of sumatriptan as the higher dose and 3 mg of sumatriptan as thelower dose. In one embodiment, sumatriptan is in the form of sumatriptansuccinate.

In one embodiment, the single use, self-contained auto-injector can bepre-loaded with a volume of liquid solution containing the active agentcorresponding to the higher dose. The higher dose amount can range from3-12 mg of active agent and the volume injected ranges from 0.1 to 2mLs. The pre-selected and preset lower dose is about 20%, 25%, 30%, 34%,40%, 50%, 60%, 67% or 75% of the full or maximum dose by weight of theactive agent or by volume of the liquid containing the active agent.This allows the self-contained, single use auto-injector to be set todeliver 100% of the dose or a single dose of any percentage less than100% as the only other option (e.g. 25% or 100%; 33% or 100%; 60% or100%; 67% or 100%; 75% or 100%). Any time that either the full dose, orthe lower dose (lower volume) is selected and delivered, the remainderof the original dose and volume, if any, are disposed of with the singleuse device. And these doses, (the full dose or higher dose and the lowerdose) are preset. By preset, it is meant that while the patient oroperator may select between a full or higher dose and a lower or lesserdose, they cannot merely select any higher and/or any lower dose—bothare predetermined and the device will only provide those preset doses.To use a different higher or lower dose would require a differentauto-injector preset for those doses.

In one embodiment for treating migraines, the higher dose amount is 6 mgof sumatriptan and the lower dose amount is 3 mg or 4 mg of sumatriptan.In one aspect of the above embodiment, the lower dose amount is 3 mg ofsumatriptan.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a patient suffering from a headache, andin particular a migraine or cluster headache is treated using a devicein accordance with the invention which is a self-contained, single doseauto-injector which can provide either a preset higher or a preset lowerdose as previously described. Such patients are very familiar with theunique pathology of their condition. They tend to be aware of theirtriggers, how their surrounding will impact the duration, severity andsymptomology of each attack. They also tend to understand the way inwhich the medications that they take can impact the pathology of thatattack and how they can be impacted by the side effects of thatmedication. Sumatriptan, for example, is a medication within the drugclass selective serotonin receptor (5HT) agonists and is available as ageneric drug and is used in oral, intranasal or injectable dosage forms.Common side effects of sumatriptan are pain or chest tightness, weaknessand stomach discomfort.

Patients are in a unique position to self-medicate for these limitedconditions, within the safe limits offered by these self-contained,single use, auto-injectors. These auto-injectors are prescribedspecifically so that a treating healthcare provider can be involved inthe dosing decisions. By selecting the injector, the size of the fulldose, and the degree of the lower dose, the health care provider canprevent under-dosing that would be ineffective, or overdosing. They canbe sure that the patient can, even in severe attacks, be able to providethemselves with a dose that is likely to be effective without having tocalculate and manipulate current multi-dose devices like insulin pens.Thus, in accordance with the invention, a patient suffering from aheadache, and in particular a migraine or cluster headache, is treatedusing a device useful in accordance with the invention which can providea higher or lower dose as previously described.

Ailments that might require self-medication based on a patientsknowledge of their own pathology and reaction to various doses of anactive agent include, but are not limited to: acute pain; back spasms;fever; cluster headaches; tension headaches; migraine headaches (a termused herein to include treatment of the aura and/or nausea oftensuffered by migraine sufferers, with our without specific migraineheadache pain); asthma; anaphylaxis; irritable bowel disease; multiplesclerosis; Parkinson's disease; and epilepsy.

The injection device of the present invention may contain various activeagents (synonymously used herein with medicaments, actives, activepharmaceutical ingredients and drugs) in its reservoir. These include,but are not limited to, the following types of medicaments: analgesics;non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; COX-2 inhibitors; opiods;corticosteroids; triptans; immunomodulatory drugs; catecholamines;dopamine agonists; anticholinergic medications; anticonvulsants; andantiepileptic drugs.

Specific examples of medicaments or pharmaceutical compositionsadministered by the injection device described herein include, but arenot limited to, the following: ibuprofen; aspirin; diclofenac;oxycodone; duloxetine; sumatriptan; rizatriptan; frovatriptan;zolmitriptan; naratriptan; eletriptan; morphine; epinephrine;teriflunomide; interferon beta-1a; interferon beta-1b; glatirameracetate; fingolimod; mitoxantrone; dimethyl fumarate; natalizumab;Levodopa (L-dopa); carbidopa pramipexole; ropinirole; bromocriptine;selegiline; rasagiline; amantadine; entacapon; memantine; rivastigmine;galantamine; gabapentin; fludrocortisone; Hydrocortisone; hydrocortisoneacetate; cortisone acetate; tixocortol pivalate; prednisolone;methylprednisolone; prednisone; triamcinolone acetonide; triamcinolonealcohol; mometasone; amcinonide; budesonide; desonide; fluocinonide;fluocinolone acetonide; halcinonide; Betamethasone; betamethasone sodiumphosphate; dexamethasone; dexamethasone sodium phosphate; fluocortolone;Hydrocortisone-17-butyrate; hydrocortisone-17-aceponate;hydrocortisone-17-buteprate; and prednicarbate, acetaminophen, naproxen,propionic acid drugs such as fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, suprofen,benoxaprofen, ketoprofen, oxaprozin or the like; acetic acid drug suchas etodolac, indomethacin, ketorolac, alclofenac, ibufenac, sulindac,clindanac, fenclorac, indoprofen, fenclofenac, pirprofen, benoxaprofen,carprofen or cicloprofen, indomethacin, oxmetacin, acemetazin,cinmetacin, zomepirac, tolmetin, clopirac or tiaprofenic acid or thelike; ketone drugs such as nabumetone, sulindac, tolmetin or the like;fenamate drugs such as meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, or the like;oxicam drugs such piroxicam, droxicam, meloxicam, tenoxicam or the like;salicylic acid drugs such as diflunisal, salsalate or the like;pyrazolin acid drugs such as oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone or thelike; COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib, parecoxib, valdecoxib,etoricoxib, rofecoxib, deracoxib, parecoxib or the like;napthylalkanones such as nabumetone; atypical opioid analgesic such astramadol; opioids such as morphine; ergots such as dihydroergotamine;local anesthetic such as lidocaine; or mixtures or combinations thereof.All the actives, defined above, include all forms of the respectiveactives such as free forms, salt forms, polymorphs, etc. For example,sumatriptan, as used in this application, includes all forms ofsumatriptan, including free forms, salt forms, etc.

In one specific embodiment of the devices and methods of the invention,the medicament to be administered is a triptan. As previously indicated,the medicament to be administered can be one of sumatriptan,rizatriptan, frovatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan, and eletriptan.

In another embodiment of the device, the medicament to be administeredis sumatriptan. In this embodiment, the higher dose is 6 mg and a lowerdose is 3 mg. In one aspect of the above embodiment, sumatriptan is inthe form of sumatriptan succinate.

In another embodiment of the device, the medicament to be administeredis epinephrine. In a further embodiment, the device is capable ofoffering the end-user a choice to select delivery of an adult dose (0.1to 0.5 mg) or a pediatric dose (0.1 to 0.3 mg) of epinephrine. An adultauto injector allowing for two or more preset doses between 0.1 and 0.5mg, or a pediatric injector allowing for two or more preset dosesbetween 0.1 and 0.3 mg are also contemplated.

In a further embodiment, the injection device has a lockout mechanismthat permanently disables the device from delivering a subsequent doseafter the injection device is used to administer the first dose,regardless of whether the first dose was a full or partial dose. Forexample, the device could have a frangible connection between a primerand actuator such that once the device is used the primer can no longerengage the device to enter the armed state.

A further embodiment has a lockout mechanism that permanently disablesthe device from delivering subsequent doses only after the entirecontents of the reservoir have been discharged by the injection device.In other words, if the lower dose is chosen as the first dose, thedevice remains capable of delivering the remaining portion of the fulldose as a second, subsequent dose before the lockout mechanism deploysand disables the device.

In another embodiment, the injection device is capable of accuratelyadministering a partial or full dose of a medicament or pharmaceuticalcomposition, without having to prime the device prior to administrationbut may still be configured to be locked after administering a firstdose regardless of whether it was a full or partial dose.

In another aspect, the auto-injector is not self-contained and is amultiple use device which can accommodate a single use cartridge.However, the auto-injector will dispense, at the election of thepatient, either the full dose or lower dose as previously described. Anytime that the lower dose (lower volume) is selected and delivered, theremainder of the original dose and volume are disposed of with thesingle use cartridge. This auto-injector could be designed to deliver,for example, only 100% or 50% of a specified volume. Alternatively itcould be designed to dispense 50% or 100% of the volume contained in thecartridge—where the cartridge volume can vary.

The patient suffering from a headache including cluster headaches andmigraine headaches can select a full or higher dose or partial, lower orlesser dose to meet their need from a single dose, self-containedauto-injector of the invention containing a single higher dose of atriptan as discussed herein. They can then inject themselves (or someoneelse can inject them) with that selected dose and dispose of theinjector. Their treatment can also be accompanied by the concomitantadministration of a second medication regularly used for treatingheadache pain in general, or migraine or cluster headaches specifically,or their symptoms. “Concomitantly” as used herein means in coordinationwith. The doses may be given together, moments or hours apart and may begiven by the same or different routes of administration. In a furtherembodiment, this second medication is administered orally. In stillanother embodiment, the second medication is an oral NSAID given in thedoses normally associated with their use for headache pain.

The self-contained, single selectable dose auto-injector hereindescribed can be manufactured by providing a single selectable doseinjector which has a selector. The selector can be actuated to dispensea single time, one of two pre-determined volumes of a liquid containingan active agent useful for treating headaches. As previously described,the two volumes correspond to two different doses of the active agent.The auto-injector is filled with a sufficient volume of the liquidcontaining the active agent to provide the two predetermined doses toproduce a self-contained auto-injector. The injector is packaged in astate that is substantially ready for use.

With reference to the FIG. 1, an auto-injector 100, is provided with acap 110. The cap 110 is removed in step 1A by moving the cap 110 in thedirection indicated by arrow 180. The auto-injector 100 includes awindow 170 to indicate whether the device has been used. For example,the window could display one color prior to use and another color afteruse. As previously described, the window could also display text orsymbols to indicate whether the device is ready for use or has beenused.

The injector 100 has a button 120 at the injector proximal end 113. Asshown, the button 120 performs multiple functions. The button 120 is apriming mechanism to arm the injector 100. The button 120 can also berotated to select the desired dose. In step 1B, the auto-injector 100 isprimed by manipulating button 120 in the direction indicated by arrow190. In step 1C, the end-user grips the button 120 and rotates in thedirection indicated by arrow 111 if the half dose is desired instead ofthe default full dose. No such rotation is necessary if the full dose isdesired. Such doses described herein are exemplary and not by way oflimitation. Doses can be configured to be either a full dose or apartial dose as previously discussed.

A display 130 is provided to indicate what dose will be delivered by thedevice. Such indicators described herein are exemplary and not by way oflimitation. In step 1D, the end-user checks the dose selection. In step1E, the dose is delivered after the user pushes the distal end 150against the patient's skin 160 in the direction indicated by arrow 112.In step 1F, the auto-injector is discarded properly such as in a“sharps” container.

With reference to FIG. 2, the auto-injector 200 is similar to that ofFIG. 1. However, the selector shown is a slider 240. Here, a usermanipulates the slider 240 to select the dose to be administered. Theslider 240 can have indicia to show which dose is being selected. Oncethe dose is selected, the device can be used in accordance with thedescription of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1 but has a differentmethod of operating the button 320. In step 3B, the end-user grips thebutton 320 and rotates it counter-clockwise to unlock the device andselect a full dose. In step 3C, the end-user can grip the button 320,and rotate it clockwise to unlock the device and select a partial doseif desired. FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an auto-injector inaccordance with the current invention. The embodiment shown is similarto those previously described but has LEDs 440, 450, 460 positioned onthe body 480 of the injector 400 to indicate the dose selected. Forexample, LED 450 could be illuminated when the cap 410 is removed toindicate the injector 400 is in the “locked” state. LED 440 could beilluminated when the full dose is selected. LED 460 could be illuminatedwhen a partial dose is selected. Of course, any of the LEDs couldindicate the status of the auto-injector selection. In addition, LEDscould be used to reflect whether the device has been used.

The injector body can also incorporate anti-roll features. For example,the body could have a cross sectional shape other than circular (e.g.triangle, trapezoid, square, oval, etc.). The body could also have oneor more bumps formed on it to prevent rolling. The body cross-sectionaldiameter could be greater at one end than the other to reduce thelikelihood of rolling when the indicator is placed on a surface.

FIGS. 5A-5D show several embodiments of a selector in accordance withthe current invention. The selectors could be incorporated, for example,into the injector shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5A provides a circular selector.The selector shown in 5B has flat sides to improve the grip to rotatethe selector. The selector shown in 5C has rubber inserts to improve thegrip on the selector. The selector shown in 5F has a circular shapesimilar to 5A, but the selector in 5D has a more squared off upper edge.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the auto-injector in accordance with thecurrent invention. The auto-injector 600 includes a protected dial 601.The injector 600 does not incorporate a primer but instead is in acontinual ready for use state. The end of the dial 601 is protected by acovering 602. The covering 602 prevents accidental manipulation of thedial 601 when a patient is preparing to, or in the process of, using theinjector 600.

FIGS. 7A and 7B shows further embodiments of a selector in accordancewith the current invention which can be incorporated into the embodimentshown in FIG. 6. The selector can be incorporated as described, forexample, in FIG. 1. FIG. 7A shows a slider selector and 7B shows arotating selector.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A method of treating a headache comprising: choosing from among a higher dose and a lower dose of a triptan useful for treating a headache; actuating a single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector capable of delivering either a single higher or single lower dose and containing a predetermined volume of a liquid containing the triptan at a fixed concentration, such that it will deliver either substantially the entire volume of liquid containing the triptan to provide the higher dose of the triptan or a lesser volume thereof sufficient to provide the lower dose of the triptan; and delivering either the higher or the lower dose of the triptan into a patient suffering from a headache.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising rendering the auto-injector unable to deliver any remaining volume of the triptan contained with the auto-injector.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein choosing the doses is based upon the patient experience with the pathology of the patient's condition and reaction to the full and partial doses.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein actuating the single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector is accomplished by manipulating a dial, slide, thumb wheel, pushbutton, or toggle switch of the single dose, self-contained, auto-injector.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected dose is indicated by indicia, a tactile indicator, audible indicator or any combination thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is suffering from a headache selected from the group consisting of migraine or cluster headache.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the triptan is selected from the group consisting of sumatriptan; rizatriptan; frovatriptan; zolmitriptan; naratriptan; and eletriptan.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the lower dose is selected from about 20%, 25%, 30%, 34%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 67% or 75% of the higher dose, by weight of the triptan or by volume of the liquid containing the triptan.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the triptan is sumatriptan.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the higher dose of the triptan comprises 6 mg of sumatriptan and the lower dose of the triptan comprises 3 mg of sumatriptan.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the higher dose of the triptan comprises 6 mg of sumatriptan and the lower dose of the triptan comprises 4 mg of sumatriptan.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the sumatriptan is in the form of sumatriptan succinate.
 13. A method of treating a headache comprising: choosing from among a higher dose and a lower dose of a triptan useful for treating a headache; actuating a single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector capable of delivering either a single higher volume corresponding to the higher dose or a single lower volume corresponding to the lower dose, and containing at least a predetermined volume of a liquid containing the triptan at a fixed concentration corresponding to the higher dose, such that it will deliver either the higher volume or the lower volume thereof; and delivering either the higher or the lower dose of the triptan into a patient suffering from a headache.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising rendering the auto-injector unable to deliver any remaining volume of the triptan contained within the auto-injector.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein choosing the doses is based upon the patient experience with the pathology of the patient's condition and reaction to the full and partial doses.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein actuating the single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector is accomplished by manipulating a dial, slide, thumb wheel, pushbutton, or toggle switch of the single dose, self-contained, auto-injector.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the selected dose is indicated by indicia, a tactile indicator, audible indicator, or any combination thereof.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the patient is suffering from a headache selected from the group consisting of migraine and cluster headache.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the triptan is selected from the group consisting of sumatriptan; rizatriptan; frovatriptan; zolmitriptan; naratriptan; and eletriptan.
 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the lower dose is selected from about 20%, 25%, 30%, 34%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 67% or 75% of the higher dose, by weight of the triptan or by volume of the liquid containing the triptan.
 21. The method of claim 13 wherein the triptan is sumatriptan.
 22. The method of claim 13 wherein the higher dose of the triptan comprises 6 mg of sumatriptan and the lower dose of the triptan comprises 3 mg of sumatriptan.
 23. The method of claim 13 wherein the higher dose of the triptan comprises 6 mg of sumatriptan and the lower dose of the triptan comprises 4 mg of sumatriptan.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherein the sumatriptan is in the form of sumatriptan succinate.
 25. A method of treating a migraine headache comprising: a) choosing a dose of a triptan from amongst at least a higher and a lower dose deliverable from a single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector containing at least sufficient volume of a liquid containing a fixed concentration of the triptan to provide the higher dose, the lower dose being about 20%, 25%, 30%, 34%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 67% or 75% of the higher dose, by weight of the triptan or by volume of the liquid containing the triptan; and b) auto-injecting the dose of the triptan into a patient suffering from a migraine headache.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein no more than two auto-injectors are used for the patient in a 24 hour period.
 27. A method of treating a headache comprising: a) choosing a dose of a sumatriptan from amongst at least a higher dose which is 6 mg of sumatriptan and a lower dose selected from the group consisting of 3 mg and 4 mg of sumatriptan deliverable from a single selectable dose, self-contained, auto-injector; and b) auto-injecting the dose of the sumatriptan into a patient suffering from a headache.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the patient is suffering from a migraine headache.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein the sumatriptan is in the form of sumatriptan succinate. 